A court may commit an eligible person to the veterans administration or another U.S. agency for care, and the person then must follow that agency’s rules.
Whenever, in any proceeding under the laws of this state for the commitment of a person alleged to be of unsound mind or otherwise in need of confinement in a hospital or other institution for his proper care, it is determined after such adjudication of the status of such person as may be required by law that commitment to a hospital for mental diseases or other institution is necessary for safekeeping or treatment and it appears that such person is eligible for care or treatment by the veterans administration or other agency of United States government, the court, or other committing authorities, upon receipt of a certificate from the veterans administration or such other agency showing that facilities are available and that such person is eligible for care or treatment therein, may commit such person to said veterans administration or other agency. Upon commitment, such person, when admitted to any facility operated by any such agency within or without this state, shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the veterans administration or other such agency. With respect to the person so committed the chief officer of such facility shall have the same power and control over said person as would the superintendent of the state institution to which said person otherwise would have been committed. Jurisdiction is retained in the appropriate court of this state at any time to inquire into the mental condition of the person so committed, and to determine the necessity for continuance of his restraint, and all commitments pursuant to this chapter are so conditioned. Source: Source. 1949, 132:1, eff. April 11, 1949.